Harbour Air has suspended scheduled service between Vancouver and Butchart Gardens as well as between Vancouver and Patricia Bay for the rest of the summer, citing low demand.
“We regularly review our flight network and bookings to ensure that we are flying to destinations most popular with our customers throughout the year,” the company said in a statement.
Harbour Air said it would continue to offer private charter service to Butchart Gardens, and intends to bring back the Vancouver-Patricia Bay service on Sept. 16.
The company started the Butchart service June 12, with plans to run it until Sept. 15. The round-trip fare was $499 per person, which included admission to the gardens.
Meanwhile, the company says it plans to exhibit its fully electric eBeaver aircraft at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture show next week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The aircraft, which is powered by a magniX electric engine, will make its international debut with two flights at the July 22-28 show, billed as the largest annual air show showcasing experimental aircraft.
“EAA AirVenture 2024 is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate that a more sustainable future in regional air transportation is possible,” said Bert van der Stege, chief executive of Harbour Air.
This year, Harbour Air signed a letter of intent with Everett, Washington-based magniX to purchase 50 electric motors to convert its entire seaplane fleet.
The deal means magniX will support the Transport Canada validation of its magni650 type certificate and assist in the certification work needed by Harbour Air to obtain Canadian and American approvals on the DHC-2 Beaver, with an option to extend their support to other aircraft platforms.
Harbour Air had a successful maiden flight of the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft in Richmond on Dec.10 2019, and has since operated 78 successful test flights with its prototype.
The company hopes to have commercial certification for its first electric aircraft by 2026.
Following certification, it plans to convert additional aircraft in its fleet and offer third-party conversions to promote widespread adoption of electric aviation.
